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Love for cars ends in tragedy

Eamonn Duff, Nick Ralston, Lucy Cormack

Shocked: Young friends gather at the crash site of Philip Vassallo on Andrews Road in Penrith. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams

As a teenage boy, growing up in suburban Sydney, Philip Vassallo lived for his mates and his prized car – a light blue, refurbished Datsun ute.

But on Friday night the 17-year-old was killed when he collided with a Toyota HiLux ute, being driven by one of the teenager’s mates, while on a night out in Penrith.

Vassallo's passenger, his mate Justin Galea, also 17, suffered serious injuries but the driver of the other ute was uninjured in the incident that happened at 10pm on Andrews Road.

Tragedy: The scene of the fatal crash Photo: Matt Black Productions

Police said the investigation into the cause of the fatal crash was still in the early stages. Andrews Road is known as an area popular with street racers but friends were adamant that Vassallo, who was on his provisional licence, was not speeding.

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It is believed Vassallo was attempting a U-turn outside the factory where he worked when the HiLux collided with the driver's side of the Datsun.

"I never knew him to be a silly driver because he loved that car so much and didn’t want anything to happen to it," friend Angus Ehrl told media at the scene.

"He was always happy, laughing, always up for a joke. He was a good, kind-hearted kid. We were all so happy that he was going to be turning 18 soon, we could go out and have a bit of fun."

Vassallo's social-media sites showed a love for cars, including links to several car-related groups and a picture of cars as his main image on his Facebook page.

His family on Saturday night issued a statement saying he was a "caring and happy-go-lucky young man, he was much loved by all his family and friends and will be greatly missed".

Philip Vassallo. Photo: Supplied

Chief Inspector Mark Cook said police would look at all possible factors for the crash.

"It's a tragedy for all involved, the people, their friends, their families, and the emergency services workers who attended."

But a friend, Adrian Xiberras, said on Facebook his friend was killed after making a "simple mistake while driving".

"Take it from the person who saw one of this best mates pass away. There was no street racing or drinking while we were out," Adrian wrote.

A video filmed on a mobile phone and shared by his friends on Facebook, and purporting to be taken on Friday night, showed Vassallo singing along as he drove with his passenger.

Inspector Cook said the fatal crash was a reminder to young motorists to take extra care. So far, 35 people aged between 17 and 25 have died on NSW roads this year.

"They need to take their time, be rested, not travel too close and don’t use a mobile phone or text or even drink and drive," Inspector Cook said.

Friends visited the Andrews Road crash scene on Saturday and left flowers. One bouquet included a handwritten note which read: "You will live forever through us and the beautiful memories you left behind. Rest easy champ. Love Gavin and Max ... love you brother."

One group of shocked school students sat silently at the scene for more than 10 minutes, scarcely able to comprehend the loss of a friend who should have had his whole life ahead of him.

To them the he was "a bright young thing" and a "special friend".

Vassallo, like many of his friends, was a car enthusiast, spending the money he earned as a second-year apprentice on the Datsun. His friends on Saturday posted photos on social media of the fresh-faced teen holding up car parts alongside a blue Datsun ute.

Police said the investigation would also examine if the ute was fitted with a modified, high-performance engine that P-platers are not allowed to drive with.